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Dismembered Bodies Found In Detroit River

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DETROIT (WWJ) – Police and homeland security officials are investigating following more than one gruesome discovery in the Detroit River.

Detroit Police Eastern District Commander Steve Dolunt said a headless torso was discovered by fishermen in a canal where Lake St. Clair empties into the Detroit River.

While waiting for Detroit police to arrive, a U.S. Coast Guard officer found at least a second body about a mile away from where the first body was found.

Reporting from the scene, WWJ Newsradio 950’s Ron Dewey said additional body parts were found just east of Belle Isle where Lake St. Clair empties into the river.

“In fact, as you go along the boardwalk and you look over the railing you can see it plain as day, underneath the water at the bottom of the river — what looks like three legs, a hand, an open suitcase, a sheet and a circular saw,” Dewey said.

The bodies appear to be that of a man and a woman 20-40 years of age.

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee said, due to the proximity of the bodies, they do believe the two bodies are connected. “I think that’s reasonable to conclude at this point,” Godbee said. “We don’t have any reason to think that it’s two separate incidences. We do think that it’s one incident.”

As homicides go, Dolunt said this is as bad as it gets.

“It was unconscionable,” he said. “Someone obviously had a bone to pick with these two people … and wanted to send a message.”

Police are awaiting a medical examiner’s determination for confirmation on the victims’ sexes and a cause of death.